Last Updated on: 17th January 2022, 09:27 pm
African Burial Ground National Monument
It is located on the first floor of Ted Weiss federal building close to the Brooklyn Bridge and City Hall in Lower Manhattan.
The African Burial Ground National Monument was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1993. It was initially discovered in the 1990s when the General Services Administration was building government offices. Here, human corpses were found 25-30 feet underground. These corpses were the remains of enslaved Africans who helped in building New Amsterdam.
Currently, several special events are held at the African Burial Ground National Monument every year. Visitors are allowed at the site at no cost.
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Also known as the Appalachian Trail or the A.T., it is a hiking trail located in the Eastern part of the United States. It is said to be about 2,200 miles (3,500 km) long. This scenic footpath spans from Mount Katahdin in Maine down to Springer Mountain in Georgia. This is the longest hiking-only trail worldwide. Over 2 million people go hiking on the part of the trail every year.
This unique nature trail houses thousands of species of plants and animals. Some of the animals that can be found on this trail include porcupines, black bears, squirrels, river otters, chipmunks, bobcats, etc. Some fun activities available on this trail are camping, hiking, fishing, and motoring. You can also visit the numerous craft centers available.
Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail
The Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail spans across Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, USA. Established in 2006, it is America’s first water-based National Historic Trail. This trail was initially founded to remember the exploration of the Bay by Captain Smith between 1607 and 1609.
It is made up of about 3,000 miles of water. The trail features museum sites, parks, and tons of other recreational activities. Visitors can explore up to 50 places that are associated with the adventures of Caption John Smith and his crew.
Castle Clinton National Monument
Castle Clinton is also known as Castle Garden. Located at the southern tip of Manhattan Island, it stands right where New York City began. At first, it was built to prevent a British invasion in 1812, but over the years, it has been welcoming immigrants, sightseers, and millions of visitors from different works of life.
All activities in Castle Clinton National Monument are held outdoors. Some of these activities include concerts, jumping on a ferry, or just sitting on a bench to enjoy your meal at the foot of Manhattan. Visitors are welcome to explore this site as it is open all year round, except on Christmas and Thanksgiving Day.
Chesapeake Bay Watershed
The Chesapeake Bay is one of the world’s highly productive and most valuable natural resources. It produces millions of pounds of seafood and is a means for shipping and commerce. This Bay also provides a suitable living environment for different kinds of wildlife and serves as a recreational site for residents and visitors.
It is located in the Mid-Atlantic area and covers 64,000 square miles. Chesapeake Bay Watershed runs through six states: Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, New York, and Washington, D.C. Visitors who visit this Bay can enjoy fishing, crabbing, swimming, and boating, kayaking and sailing on the waters of the Chesapeake Bay.
Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site
Established on May 27, 1977, Eleanor Roosevelt National Site is located in Hyde Park, New York.
This national historic site was founded by the U.S. Congress to remember the life and all that was accomplished by Eleanor Roosevelt.
Eleanor Roosevelt’s historic site is the first and only national historic site made to commemorate a first lady of the United States. The historic site has loads of information that document both the public and private life of Eleanor Roosevelt. It features a short introductory presentation along with photographs and a free tour through the main house.
Visitors are always welcomed all year round and can enjoy special events like music in the parks, garden tours, and Christmas open house. Opening hours at this park are usually limited to 5 days a week around November and April. Tickets are mostly sold out in the summer, but you can always make reservations in advance online.
Ellis Island (Part Of Liberty National Monument)
Ellis Island is an island of hope that affords many people who passed through it the opportunity to attain the American dream. Located on a small island in New York Harbor, up to 40% of America’s citizens can trace their family line to someone who arrived at this island.
Ellis Island was opened in 1892 and was operational for about 62 years. It has long become part of the liberty national monument and is now open to the public. Similar to a museum, most of the activities on this island are held indoors.
Federal Hall National Memorial
Located in Manhattan, New York, Federal Hall National Memorial is the beginning of the United States of America. George Washington, who was the first president of the U.S., took the oath of office here.
There are lots of historical information about the important moments and founding of the country at the hall. The hall is open to visitors from Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. You will get to see things like the bible George Washington used to take the oath of office and a gallery filled with portraits of great men and women in American history.
Fire Island National Seashore
Fire Island has been a very special place for people, various species of animals, and even plants. It is a serene environment, set far away from the stress and pressure of close-by big city life.
It is located in Patchogue, New York. The seashore is cared for by the National Park Service. It is accessible to visitors all year round. The Fire Island National Seashore was established to preserve and protect the Fire Island with all its natural and historic features and resources.
This National Park offers various types of relaxation and educational activities for adults. There are also lots of fun and fascinating activities for kids such as boating, hiking, swimming, wildlife viewing, and so much more.
Fort Stanwix National Monument
Fort Stanwix National Monument was established in 1935. It is a reconstruction of the old fort, which was a colonial fortress originally built-in 1758. It is a small but beautiful island free of noise and chaos from its neighboring town.
Also known as “the fort that never surrendered,” Fort Stanwix National Monument offers a wide range of fun activities for water sports lovers, beach-goers, and lovers of outdoor activities.
Some of the interesting activities to partake in when you visit are clamming, beach-combing, sailing, and much more. Kids also get to enjoy activities like shell decorating, wagoning, and lots more.
Gateway National Recreation Area
Gateway National Recreation Area is a recreational site that features lots of fun activities like ocean swimming, bird watching, boating, hiking, and camping.
It was established in 1972 and made up of natural areas and historic sites. It overlaps two states and consists of three units. It was created by the U.S. Congress as a way to preserve unique natural resources.
Gateway National Recreation Area is open to visitors all year round and hosts up to 10 million people yearly.
General Grant National Memorials
Known as the largest tomb in North America, General Grant National Memorials is the final resting place of President Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia. It is mostly called Grant’s tomb.
Visitors get to see this famous general’s tomb and learn more about Grant’s life and achievements. The memorial is usually open from 10 am to 5 pm, Wednesday to Sunday, and is free. Visitors can also take on self-guided tours. Free public tours are available hourly from 11 am to 3 pm. The tour features 20 outdoor exhibits. Some of the exhibits show images surrounding Grant’s life and legacy. Visitors also get to see his final resting place. There are benches around where you can sit and rest while taking in the scenery
Governors Island National Monument
Governors Island National Monument was established in January 19, 2021. It was fully fortified by Castle Williams and Fort Jay and was built to protect New York City from enemies that attacked the financial district of the area.
The island is available and open to visitors free of charge but only during seasonal periods of July and August. It gets very busy from Thursday till the end of the week.
Visitors are able to go to the centerpiece of the fortification system which is Castle William and also tour the classic star-shaped fort.
Hamilton Grange National Memorial
Also known as The Hamilton or The Grange Mansion, Hamilton Grange National Memorial is a park site located at St Nicholas Park, Manhattan, New York.
The building was completed in 1802. It is open all year-round free of charge from Wednesday to Sunday. Self-guided tours are available during certain times of the day. Visitors are welcome to the gallery, which features historic information about Alexander Hamilton, the founding father. An introductory 15 minutes film is played for visitors on demand. Educational and recreational programs are also available for kids.
Harriet Tubman National Historical Park
Established in January 2017, Harriet Tubman National Historic Park was built to remember the life and work of Harriet Tubman. The park is a window into the life of Harriet Tubman. It tells the story of all she did to free slaves at her time.
It is located in South Street, Auburn, New York. Things to do in the park include bird-watching, wildlife viewing, a children’s program, and other tours. The park houses the Harriet Tubman Visitor Centre, the Tubman Home for the Aged, Harriet Tubman’s residence, and The Thompson Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.
Home Of Franklin D Roosevelt National Historic Site
It is located in Hyde Park, New York. Built between 1800 and 1845, it is called Springwood estate. This historic site is the place of birth, home, and burial place of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the thirty-second president of the United States.
Roosevelt donated the estate to the American people in 1943. It became a National Historic Site in 1945 after the estate was given to the United States Department of the Interior by the family. It has since been under the administration of the National Park Service.
It was made open to the public in 2005.
Lower East Side Tenement Museum National Historic Site
The Lower East Side Tenement Museum National Historic Site is located in Manhattan, New York.
It is a national historic site that commemorates the strength and enduring stories that define what being an American means. The building is a five-story brick that accommodated 7,000 people from 20 nations between 1863 and1935.
Visitors aged five years and above are welcome to this historic site. Tours afford visitors the privilege to learn and get to know the people that made New York City what it is today.
Martin Van Buren National Historic Site
Martin Van Buren National Historic Site is located in Columbia County, New York. It is a part of the United States National Park Service. It contains the 36-room mansion of the United States eighth President, Martin Van Buren. Also known as Lindenwald Estate, Martin Van Buren purchased it in 1839.
There are signs that are educational in relating the Lindenwald estate History on the grounds. A stone foundation is used as an outline for the site today, although before, it contained two gatehouses (north and south) until the demolition in 1950.
North Country National Scenic Trail
Commonly known as North Country Trail, this footpath stretches over 4600 miles from Lake Sakakawea State Park, North Dakota, to Middlebury, Vermont.
It is the longest National Scenic Trails that passes through eight states. These states are Minnesota, Ohio, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Vermont, New York, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.
It was created in 1980 and is mostly used for foot travel and other adventurous activities like cross-country skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, horseback riding, and bicycling. Travelers on the trail can enjoy sightseeing of the boreal forest, the northern hardwood forest, lakeshores, agricultural fields, small towns, low mountains, sand dunes, and prairies.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
Sagamore hill was known as the home of Theodore Roosevelt. Located in Oyster Bay, New York, the summer white house during his presidency hosted important visitors and took meetings.
The Theodore Roosevelt Museum, Theodore Roosevelt, and the nature trail are the three main things to tour in Sagamore Hill. Other fun things to do in Sagamore hill include:
- Enjoying the park-like grounds.
- Watching the sunset from behind the trees.
- Exploring the outdoor exhibits.
- Self-guided tours around the hill.
- Bird-watching.
- Hiking.
- Other outdoor activities.
Saint Paul’s Church National Historic Site
It is located in Mount Vernon, New York. Built-in 1765, it spans across six acres of land and is one of the oldest parishes in New York.
Saint Paul’s Church is historically associated with the Battle of Pell’s Point and the 1733 election. It was used as a cemetery for burials from 1704 and contained about 9000 burials.
The last Sunday service held at the church took place in May 1977. Since then, the church began to decline until it became a National Historic Site in July 1943. It was officially authorized in November 1978 to protect the church from the industrialization going on around the area.
This historic site was opened to the public in 1984. Today, the church’s carriage house has been converted into a museum and visitor center. The church tower has ranger tour guides that take visitors through the 225 years old historical tower.
Saratoga National Historic Park
Saratoga National Historical Park is made up of four parts. The largest is the Saratoga Battlefield and the others are Schuyler House, Saratoga Monument and Victory Wood.
It was established in June 1938 and is aimed at preserving the site of the battles of Saratoga. Located in Stillwater, New York, it provides a lot of fun activities to partake in throughout the year. It is also home to different kinds of birds and animals like the red fox, bluebirds, wild turkey, red-tailed hawks, and goldfinches.
Recreational activities here include cross-country skiing, historic home, biking, hiking, Visitor’s center and the battlefields.
Statue Of Liberty National Monument
Located in Upper New York, this national monument includes Ellis Island, Liberty Island and the Statue of Liberty. The statue was declared a national monument by President Calvin Coolidge in 1924.
Visitors are allowed free entry. They only need to pay for the ferry service. Ferries depart and stop at both islands interchangeably, and that makes it possible for visitors to choose which island they want to start and end the trip.
Visitors can also enter the statue’s pedestal, which is 154 stairs to the statue’s crown.
Stonewall National Monument
Located in Greenwich Village, New York, it is widely known for its part in the struggle of the civil rights of LGBTQ Americans. The uprising in the stonewall on June 28, 1996 is a milestone event in the pursuit of LGBTQ civil rights.
This monument is the first national monument dedicated to LGBTQ rights in the U.S. It currently also functions as a local gay bar.
Recreational activities at the Stonewall National Monument include fence exhibits, junior ranger program, and an LGBTQ history tour.
Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site
Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site is a replica of the place where the 26th president of the United States was born. Located in Manhattan, New York, this historic site now serves as a museum that is dedicated to the 26th president.
It was first built in 1848, got demolished in 1916, and this replica was finally rebuilt in 1926. It is open all year round from Wednesday through Sunday. Visitors are welcome to view exhibits and explore galleries. Visitors will also get to see the shirt Roosevelt wore when he was shot in 1912.
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
President Roosevelt entered into political office in this historic site. Located in downtown Buffalo, near North Street, New York, the historic site is open all year round throughout the week. It offers guided tours to visitors from different countries, schools, and organizations.
Visitors get to explore the immersive museum, which takes them back to the day of Roosevelt’s inauguration. They also get to tour some restored rooms with historical and interactive exhibits.
Thomas Cole National Historic Site
The Thomas Cole National Historic Site is the former home of Thomas Cole. He is an artist and the founder of the Hudson River School Of Art.
This historic site is also known as Cedar Grove. It is the site where American art was born. Located in Catskill, New York, it welcomes thousands of visitors annually.
Visitors can take themselves on a self-guided tour and also enjoy the fantastic views of the beautiful Catskill mountains. There are multiple parks around the vicinity of the site. Visitors can also explore the hiking trails, museums, and other sightseeing areas.
It is an excellent opportunity for students to learn about Thomas Cole’s life and work as an artist and writer.
Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreation Area
The river from Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreation area serves as a boundary between New York state and Pennsylvania. It flows through some parts of five counties (Delaware County, Orange County, Sullivan County, Pike County, and Wayne County). It is a great source of clean water that aids living for animals and plants.
This recreation area was established in 1978 and added to the wild and scenic rivers system. The waterway at the recreational area is open to the public. Fun activities in this area include swimming, fishing, boating, and wildlife watching.
Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site
The Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site was designed by one of the nation’s matchless architects and built by one of America’s first families of wealth. The construction period spanned from 1895 to 1898.
The mansion was built for the noble lifestyle of a wealthy and privileged family. In total, there are 44 rooms and 21 fireplaces in the mansion. Today, it is a historic house-turned museum located in Hyde Park, New York. It is operated and owned by the National Park service.
Washington-Rochambeau National Historic Site
The Washington-Rochambeau National Historic Site was created by an act of Congress in 2009. It serves to preserve the route taken by General Washington and General Rochambeau.
This historic site commemorates the 680 miles of water and land trails that pass through New Jersey to the siege of Yorktown. It also celebrates the American and French alliance for independence. The road passes through many small and large towns that have been in existence since the 18th century
Women’s Rights National Historical Park
The Women’s Rights National Historical Park was established in 1980. It covers a total of 6.83 acres of land in Seneca Falls, Waterloo and New York, United States. The park is used to commemorate the first Women’s Rights Convention.
Women’s Rights National Historical Park comprises the visitor center, the historic homes, and the Chapel. The park is used to host shows. Visitors get to see an inspirational film and explore the restored historical buildings, including Wesley Chapel and Elizabeth Stanton’s home.